Artillery show marks ACDC’s 24th anniversary

The Royal Thai Navy’s Air and Coastal Defense Command marked its 24th anniversary with a parade of troops, vehicles and artillery weapons.

Navy commander Narong Pipattanasai and ACDC commander Lhuechai Ruddit reviewed the 1,000 troops and their demonstration of readiness for battle in force, firepower and technology.

Capt. Thamrong Suphanpong, commander of the 2nd Anti-Aircraft Regiment, led the parade of five brigades, 600 sailors, 62 vehicles and 28 weapons.

Armaments included eight 37mm anti-aircraft cannons, four 5-M1 directed-fire systems, two 40/70mm anti-aircraft guns, two Flycatchers, six 40/60mm anti-aircraft guns, and a pair of shoulder-fired missiles.

Commanders of the Royal Thai Navy’s Air and Coastal Defense Command inspect the troops to marked their 24th anniversary.

The third parade regiment consisted of 1st Coastal Guards and sponsoring departments parading six 155mm guns with flat Federal shells and six 130mm guns with straight shells on 16 low trailers, radar cars and two radar masters and two 550 Bo-A patrol radars.

Ruddit said ACDC was formed in 1981 as the Air Force and Coastal Guard. The name was changed in 1989. Over its mission, the ACDC has been an important air and surface force protecting Thailand’s coastal regions, he said. Missions include drug interdiction and rehabilitation, revitalizing the environment and guarding the coast.

This article was published in the Pattaya Mail newspaper on Friday August 22, 2014 (Vol. XXII No. 34).